I don't have a project in mind; I'm just curious. Recently, I discovered that there's still a fandom of a fantasy book trilogy that was quite popular in Italy 10-15 years ago.
I was surprised because it feels like a geological era for media.
I wondered: if someone pitches a TV series for a screen adaptation, could showing that there's still a fandom help the project, or is there an "expiry date" for past bestsellers?
Given that market trends and public tastes change over time, I'm not sure whether a community that was born in the past could still be helpful to a current-day project.
It likely depends on how relevant the themes are to today’s audience, yet I'd like to know your opinion.
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hi Chiara Torrisi - I think IP-based projects in general will pique interest. IP WITH a fan base will definitely attract curiosity. is this IP something you have or plan to have rights to? cheers
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Sebastian Tudores thanks for your insight. No, I don't have any rights, I was just curious because I loved this trilogy. I wondered if someone today decides to adapt, if it's too late, or if it could still benefit from an old fandom. I hoped so because I'd like to watch such a show :D
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Chiara Torrisi If the book is still in print, and there is a demonstrable fanbase, that will make it stronger. If the book vanished from the market, then it's likely not very strong. But you do need to negotiate rights before doing any adaptation.
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Thanks Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg
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I agree with both Sebastian and Shadow, a demonstrated fan base is certainly helpful, but 10-15 years ago is (unfortunately) a long time in the adaptation business. Take for example Twilight, which had one of the most die hard fanbases out there. They rereleased in October to 1.5M in box office which is respectable: https://deadline.com/2025/10/twilight-reissue-box-office-1236603542/#:~:.... - but it's far cry from the $700M+ that the originals were making in the box office. There isn't that direct contact to the fan base that was once there 16 years ago.
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Thanks Amanda Toney